Anxiety decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 28, 2010, for a 50% disability evaluation for his psychiatric disorder is granted. The effective date was determined based on the fact that the Veteran became entitled to this rating on June 28, 2010, when he began reporting for VA psychotherapy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression have been rated at 50 percent since December 29, 2006.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's period of service from 1977 to 1979, obtain VA treatment records from Tuskegee VAMC, and provide a VA examination for psychiatric disorders. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective July 22, 2002, as her service-connected PTSD and related conditions have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, but denied it on the merits due to his own willful misconduct during service. The current diagnosis is PTSD and dysthymia, which are considered as direct service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received within one year of the May 2004 and September 2006 rating decisions, allowing for a de novo review. The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to her military service and personal assault experiences.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and will adjudicate the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and arteriosclerotic heart disease after obtaining the requested records.

The Board has granted service connection for a generalized anxiety disorder. Additional evidentiary development is required to determine whether service connection may be awarded for other psychiatric disorders, such as Asperger's syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, and dysthymia.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD/anxiety disorder was denied, and the propriety of reducing his hiatal hernia rating from 30 percent to 10 percent effective June 1, 2012 was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video hearing at the RO. The issues include seeking an effective date prior to January 29, 2009 for a disability rating of 70 percent for anxiety disorders and seeking service connection for a sleep disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's statements about PTSD were not credible and did not meet the criteria for a mental health condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for depressive disorder with generalized anxiety state and tension headaches have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran's current diagnosis includes depression, anxiety, restlessness, and sweating. The decision is based on the fact that no new or material evidence was provided.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, mood disorder, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Board found that these conditions are proximately caused by his service-connected right knee and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder with depression and sleep disorder, is related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, dysthymia, general anxiety disorder and schizophrenia is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence without a waiver of consideration by the RO.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of his stressor events.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at 50 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.